Alisa Cohn

Executive Coach & Author

Alisa Cohn Coaching

👥 Team & Culture (2)⚡ Execution (1)

Methodologies(3)

by Alisa Cohn

👥 Team & Culture

A set of critical discussion topics for co-founders to align on before starting a company (or to revisit periodically), designed to prevent the 65% of startup failures caused by co-founder conflict.

Core Principles

1.Clarify core values explicitly (e.g., Excellence vs. Work-Life Balance).
2.Define the vision of success (e.g., IPO vs. Lifestyle business).
3.Establish conflict resolution protocols before conflict happens.
+1 more...

"If you act in a certain way... you think they're acting strangely, but actually, they're acting in accordance with their values."

#founder#prenup#team

View Deep Dive →

Delicate Conversation Scripts

by Alisa Cohn

👥 Team & Culture

A structured approach to delivering difficult feedback (performance issues, firing, promotion denial) that relies on observable facts rather than judgment, reducing defensiveness and clarifying expectations.

Core Principles

1.Use observable facts/data, not judgments or feelings.
2.Link the feedback to the employee's career goals or company success.
3.Manage your own mindset: Do not do it to vent; do it to help them improve.
+1 more...

"My observation is that you're getting a little bit emotional... but ultimately, we really have to have this conversation."

#delicate#conversation#scripts

View Deep Dive →

The Meeting Closing Ritual

by Alisa Cohn

⚡ Execution

A set of three specific questions asked at the very end of every meeting to ensure alignment, accountability, and proper communication flow.

Core Principles

1.Meetings are useless if alignment isn't captured immediately.
2.People leave meetings with different interpretations of what happened.
3.Decisions must be communicated to those not in the room.
+1 more...

"My three questions to end the meeting are: What did we decide here? Who needs to do what by when? And who else needs to know?"

#meeting#closing#ritual

View Deep Dive →